Hi Mom...

Well...my mom read my last post where I thought she suggested I don't love people enough, and that's why I haven't been at church much...she emailed me that she didn'y say that...and I believe her!

So mom says I am "very caring most of the time"...ok then...sorry mom.

I didn't mean anything accusing in the post...I actually thought it was an interesting idea. Maybe it (lack of love) could be why many people blow off church...even me...maybe not. It's worth considering. Why don't I go to church...at least lately? Well, maybe it's lonely, that's what I said in the post. It is also frustrating...

OK, fine, now what is love? It is patient, kind, long suffering...all that and more, right? Does patience, and kindness and long suffering (or better put, living with difficulties) have any application here? I think it does...I just said I thought the idea (not loving) applied to me was not fair because I've tried...maybe I need to try harder, IDK.

It's Rainy...I have nothing to say here..just a little odds and ends deal.

It has rained almost daily for the last month. Living in Oklahoma I've learned to really appreciate a nice, cool, rainy day..which I have...but a nice, cool, rainy month? No...
So I am ready for some sun shine.

The kids are out for fall break. I might have to put them to work, because Grammy, and Granddad are coming to see us. Better clean up some! It's always good to see Grammy and Granddad.

We haven't been making church lately. I'm not sure what to do about that. I know I need to be with other believers, if anything just to contribute something, or encourage someone. That's an important part of life. However, church tends to be the loneliest hour of the week for me. My mom says maybe it's because I don't love people enough. Hmmm. IDK about that...in fact, I don't think that's fair.

Work has been good. The market has had quite a run...most of it quite unexpected...but I'm not complaining!

I'm reading The Secret History....which I understand is a relatively old book...10-15 years old?...I like it. It is well written, and really draws you into the story. I read the other day a section where one main character had to spend a winter in an unheated apartment. I literally felt cold after reading. I expected to look outside and see snow. Funny...Other than that, it is a creepy book about a murder...and I recommend it.

Luke's band opened for Chthonic last week. I found out after the fact this is an award winning, international band...from Taiwan. I wish I had stayed longer.

That's all...I just thought I'd blog something random....this is it.

WHY??

I just spent an hour blogging about health care (check the two posts below, or not... now that you know the subject...! :-)...I think I do this because I can express my opinion without people yelling at me. Out here in Oklahoma I am no doubt a minority.

The truth is I am extremely analytical...to near paralysis at times. I have thought this out personally, economically, morally, spiritually, legally and any other way I can. I have read between the lines, questioned my own bias, and considered opposing views. At the end of the day, I recognize I could be wrong. I've been wrong before...lots of times. So thanks for listening/reading.

Bottom line? If you think a public option is a disaster in the making, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I ramble on about my opinion; but the truth is, there will be no public option...it died when Obama said it was not a central issue for him to sign a bill. Its all just political posturing now.

I do pray we get a bill that starts to fight rising costs, and stops the insurance industry from dropping and excluding people from care...and that's a long shot.

Don't be a hater, vote for Nader

Remember that campaign slogan? HAHA

I'm not sure what underlies the politics of hate and fear, but part of the attitude stems from the lie that government can do nothing competently. I am personally proud to be an American, and am thankful for our form of government. It sure isn't perfect...but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.

I can offer some examples where our government is competent. First, and most obvious, we have a great military...which at our country's founding was an issue to some. Now it's a given that running the military is a legitimate function of the federal government. Then, some argued it should be a function of the states...yup... :-)
That said, today we have the best run military in the world, bar none.

The Postal System is another example. I'll clarify the key point for me here. The post office is not by any means perfect...but we don't doubt for a minute when we mail a letter that it will not be delivered (almost always) to its destination...(not perfect, but competent).

That's where I'm coming from. Our government is not perfect...but nothing is perfect. Not the government, or the company you work for, or your family, or even you, right?
(yes...this esp. goes for me :-)

So, much of the hate/fear atmosphere we live with is generated from an irrational demand that government be perfect. An associated point, and I can't state this strongly enough is that government should be transparent, and accountable (for and by the people).

But government has a function, and a place, as a solution to help, not hurt. A good example...I work in the banking system. We have a huge level of government regulation...and it's needed in our case because there is so much potential for abuse.

Health care has become the same kind of animal. It has enormous potential for abuse. A major corporation announced this week that retirees in their plan will no longer have health coverage starting next year. These people have no recourse...none at all. Are you next? Am I? If you were sick, and dependent on that plan you might consider this decision a form of abuse...no appeal, no (public?) option...just tough luck for you. You paid your premiums, you kept your end of the bargain, but they couldn't make a buck off you...

When health care was carried out by the town doc, private care was fine. Now that is just not the case. Health care is complex, and costly. We need a safety net. Will it be perfect? No, it will not. I favor it, knowing full well it will be messy...but the option is needed...

Sorry, I got away from trying to say let's not all hate each other, or our leaders over this (or any other issue). The atmosphere depresses me.

Many world governments are not competent, our is. It will never; however, be perfect.
We should be thankful for what we have, while keeping government accountable....and not letting hate, or fear drive our thinking.

To The Honorable John Boehner....

I tried to email him from his website; but he has considerable hoops to do so. I'm glad he's not my congressman. That would not fly here in Oklahoma. So maybe he searches the net for anything with his name. It's a long shot, but here goes...a brief comment congressman.

Dear Sir,
Today you said you have yet to hear from one American who is for government run health care (ie public option). Frankly, I find that hard to believe; however...I want to let you know I'm an American, and would like to see a public option offered. There you go...one American.
Best Regards,
Jim (Sameasthem)